A new school year is fast approaching. And with it comes lots of excitement, but it can also cause anxiety for children.
Starting a new school or being away from parents can cause much anxiety in children. That anxiety fades for most children as the year progresses. But for others, it doesn’t. Here are some examples of behaviors that may indicate your child is continuing to struggle with anxiety:
Continually seeking reassurance or asking repeated, worried questions despite receiving an answer
- Tantrums when separating from parents or caregivers before going to school
- Increased complaints of experiencing headaches, stomachaches, and fatigue in the absence of an illness
- A significant change in their sleep pattern, such as taking an hour to fall asleep, or waking you up with worries during the night when they might typically sleep well
- Difficulty getting along with family members or friends
- Avoidance of normal activities in and outside of school
Here are some tips to help ease back-to-school anxiety:
- Approach anxiety instead of avoiding it
- Practice school routines
- Model behavior you’d like to see
- Ensure they are getting enough sleep
- Check-in with stress levels
- Talk to school mental health professionals
- Blend back to school with fun activities so the transition is less sudden
To learn more about our outpatient mental health services or to schedule a virtual appointment, please call (718) 670-5316 to speak with our intake coordinator or (718) 670-5562 to reach the clinic.
All content of this newsletter is intended for general information purposes only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please consult a medical professional before adopting any of the suggestions on this page. You must never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking medical treatment based upon any content of this newsletter. PROMPTLY CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN OR CALL 911 IF YOU BELIEVE YOU HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY.